By John Clark
BLADENBORO – Center Kendell Lesane recorded a double-double of 12 points and 18 rebounds Thursday night to lead Bladenboro’s Bulldogs to a perfect 12-0 season and the Waccamaw Middle School Conference ‘A’ Division boys’ basketball championship with a 47-22 victory over Tabor City.
Kendell Lesane also blocked 2 shots. Jaquan Lesane followed Kendell with 9 points and 3 steals. Keonta Hill contributed 8 points, 2 assists and 2 steals, Ashton Davis hauled in 9 rebounds to go with his 5 points, and Blake Britt added 5 points. Teammate John McDowell scored 4 points.
Khalil Morgan’s 3-point play gave the Eagles an early lead, but Hill banked in a runner, and Kendell Lesane canned a free throw then powered in a follow shot. Hill stole the ball and dashed for a lay-up, Davis made a free throw and Britt buried a 3-point shot. Hill flipped in a 6-footer, and Jaquan Lesane’s pass resulted in a Kendell Lesane lay-up and a 15-5 Bulldog lead.
Morgan, who led the Eagles with 15 points, began the 2nd period with a pair of baskets. Hill flew down the court for a lay-up, but Jordan Hardy knocked down a 3-pointer, and Morgan scored in transition to whittle the Bladenboro lead to 17-14.
Jaquan Lesane nailed a 3-point shot then dropped in a lay-up off a long outlet pass from Kendell Lesane that padded the Bladenboro halftime lead to 22-14.
Another Jaquan Lesane transition lay-up began the 2nd half, and Britt drained a long 2-pointer. Davis muscled in a follow, and Chase Bryan sent an assist to Jaquan Lesane for a lay-up. Kendell Lesane tossed in a free throw, blocked a shot that led to a Davis’ lay-up, then ended the period with a lay-up that pushed the lead to 35-16.
Jaquan Lesane delivered an assist to Kendell Lesane for a lay-up to start the final period. Hill sent 2 assists to John McDowell who banged in a pair of lay-ups. Kendell Lesane put back a rebound, and Bryan stole the ball and darted to the basket for a lay-up. Calvin Sinclair’s baseline shot closed out the scoring.
“This season was a total team effort,” said Bulldog Coach Joe Gore. “I couldn’t have done it without all 16 players. Every last one of them came to workouts and practice every day to put the work in that was needed for us to be called ‘Champions’ once again. I am so proud of this group of young men.”
Bladenboro finished 8-0 in league play and completed their 2nd consecutive undefeated season.
Tabor City 5 9 2 6 — 22
Bladenboro 15 7 13 12 — 47
Tabor City (22)-Khalil Morgan 15, Jordan Hardy 3, Tymion Washington 2, Javon Pierce, Joduci Daniels 2, Gentry Thompson, Noah Buffkin, Shawn Reaves, Kevonte Phillips, Myles Davis, Justin Brown, Dwayne Davis, Christopher Long, Landon Betts, Tiwon Davis, Jayln Thompson, William Pierce.
Bladenboro (47) – Blake Britt 5, Ashton Davis 5,Jaquan Lesane 9, Kendell Lesane 12, Keonta Hill 8, Chase Bryan 2, Corben Chadwick, John McDowell 4, Jace Lesane, Darren Davis, Sincere McKinley, Calvin Sinclair 2, Sayvion Covington, Brayden Steele, Devan Stanley, Lucas Bryant.
About Author
